For decades, researchers have noticed that tiny chemicals called “methyl groups” piggyback on DNA molecules, and that they occur in certain patterns. Intrigued by the meaning and function of methylation patterns, especially as they relate to medicine, a five-year, $ 190-million-dollar research effort funded by the National Institutes of Health began in 2008. In one of its studies, researchers have stumbled upon a new intricacy of cell function.

Joseph Ecker of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies led a collaboration to generate the world’s first complete map of human methylation patterns, called the “methylome.” This conveys genetic information beyond the well-known patterns in DNA bases.1

Previous studies showed that DNA methylation helps cells with “gene regulation, DNA-protein interactions, cellular differentiation, suppression of transposable elements, embryogenesis, X-inactivation, genomic imprinting and tumorigenesis.”2 Ecker said in a Salk Institute press release that this new study “will lead to a better understanding of how genome function is regulated in health and disease but also how gene expression is influenced by diet and the environment.”3

Some of the team’s results confirmed what researchers had suspected. For example, in embryonic stem cells, DNA was more densely “methylated”—or covered with methyl groups—than in a differentiated cell. Also, they found less methylation in areas where DNA interacts with proteins. These observations indicate that precise regions of DNA are more thickly covered with methyl groups in order to isolate them from use by the cell. This way, the correct proteins are manufactured at just the right time.

However, they also found unexpected methylation patterns. One type, called “CG Methylation,” was long known to occur. Another category, “non-CG methylation,” was thought to be insignificant, but this study reported that stem cells have “highly expressed genes containing threefold higher non-CG methylation density than non-expressed genes.”3 Thus, biologists now have to sort out yet another cellular mechanism that, like most of the human genome, they understand is important but aren’t quite sure why.4

Those who keep up with cell science often cannot help but be impressed with the high state of design they observe in the cell. For example, after studying DNA transcript regulation, researchers Melissa Moore and Nick Proudfoot recently concluded,

At every point along the way, multifunctional proteins and [ribonucleoprotein] complexes facilitate communication between upstream and downstream steps, providing both feedforward and feedback information essential for proper coordination of what can only be described as an intricate and astonishing web of regulation.5

The living world is full of features small yet robust, and well-regulated yet elegant. It is therefore quite natural to ascribe their origins to a transcendent Creator. It is increasingly difficult in light of ongoing scientific discovery to ignore the fact that “the LORD thy maker…hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth.”6

Those who keep up with cell science often cannot help but be impressed with the high state of design they observe in the cell.

Seriously, what does that mean? If cells didn't have some sort of "design," they wouldn't exist. This is exactly the same as saying, "Gee whiz, that hole in the sidewalk is amazing. It's the perfect size for that puddle!"

What is the breaking news that has it placed in that forum?
Methylation of DNA and histones and acetylation of histones has been known for decades. Must be a slow day at the IRC or Brian Thomas M S * got tired of ogling the picture of Ardi.

Yep, it is amazing that God would set into motion all of these intricate processes to play out over billions of years. Billions you say! Not 6 days? I didn’t know that God was constrained by time. For that matter, I didn’t know that God had so little power that he could not make this vast universe and allow for such a concept as evolution. Why just a few hundred years ago it was mandated that we all believe that the universe revolved around earth and that the idea of manned flight was witchcraft. Is it that hard to see the work of God in the intracacies of the universe and all of creation. You are free to believe what you want and if that is in an oft rewritten and incomplete set of pre-new testament writings then you are welcome to worship the writings rather than God and his wonderous works of nature. I will applaud you but I will continue to believe in the magnitude of God’s greatness in evolution, geologic processes and the wonder of man’s God-given intellect by which he can recognize that there is a divine creator who is behind all of these wonders. You might want spend more time understanding the lessons brought to us by Christ to replace the old testament with His message of hope.

19
posted on 10/22/2009 11:19:16 AM PDT
by RJS1950
(The democrats are the "enemies foreign and domestic" cited in the federal oath)

“I will continue to believe in the magnitude of Gods greatness in evolution, geologic processes and the wonder of mans God-given intellect by which he can recognize that there is a divine creator who is behind all of these wonders. “

Do you believe that “God's greatness in evolution” should be taught in the classroom?

Hmmm - OK. I don't believe I said anywhere in my post that I thought the Earth was created in 6 literal days - as a matter of fact, I don't buy the literal 6 day thing. I believe God's concept of time differs radically from ours, and it is quite possible a minute of His time could be the same as a million of ours.

I don't believe one species evolved into another, but I do believe a species can evolve and compensate according to their environment.

Then you better prepare for eternal damnation (so say some fR creationists).

I don't believe one species evolved into another, but I do believe a species can evolve and compensate according to their environment.

Can you explain what mechanism stops a particular species from continuing to evolve as the environment continues to change? What if one population is split in two by a catastrophic geologic event, resulting in two drastically different environments -one remains as it was and the other has a near complete change in flora due to volcanic soils. That portion of the population must adapt or die. It does to the point where it can no longer mate with the original population and looks very different due to the different environmental pressures. Do you accept the possibility of such a thing happening?

No I can’t, and I don’t claim to be an expert on the subject. This is just how I feel based upon what I’ve seen and studied in my 47 years on this planet. As I see it, these are the processes put into motion by a creator at some distant point in the past which continue to this day, much of it still not very well understood, and will no doubt be debated until the end of time.

Even though the existance of God cannot be proven scientifically, I am quite confident that not only did God create life and this planet to support it, he is still here and living in spirit. I’ll choose to follow him and trust in his word. If I’m wrong, I’ll guess I’ll find out when I die, right?

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